Sales at BlackBerry (TSX:BB) (NASDAQ:BBRY) fell dramatically in the second quarter but the Canadian smartphone-maker is looking to boost slumping revenue by entering into the Android arena.
Revenue took a dive in the three months ending August 29, falling 46.5% to US$490 million compared with the same period a year ago, according to a financial report released Friday (September 25).
While net income for the quarter amounted US$51 million, BlackBerry revealed adjusted losses reached US$66 million.
“I’m not satisfied…(with) where we are in the overall revenue and profitability, especially in the handset business,” CEO John Chen said in a conference call with investors.
The smartphone company, based in Waterloo, Ont., is in the midst of boosting its software business to expand revenue.
But Chen confirmed BlackBerry would launch an Android-powered device known as the Priv by the end of the year.
Pricing details for the Priv were not released but the CEO said the device will be backed by BlackBerry’s security features and have access to the Google Play app systems.
Users will be able to choose whether to run the device on BlackBerry’s BB10 operating system or the Android platform, the Priv will feature a slide-out keyboard behind a touchscreen.
Chen said the name of the device is based on the idea of combining privacy and privilege.
